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kiwi_zoe's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
A great collection of essays about life in the UK during the latter part of the 20th century. Very enjoyable and quick read.
ladyr's review
5.0
I grew up in the Cotswolds so this was already going to be an evocative read for me.
I also grew up with "cider with Rosie" and it's a book I return to from time to time and love.
Lee has a beautiful lyrical writing style - he perfectly conjures up the Christmases & winters of my childhood but it's also a brilliant portrait of a stolen and often now-forgotten way of life.
I will keep this book on by bedside table year round to dip into as the seasons change for the perfect escapism.
I also grew up with "cider with Rosie" and it's a book I return to from time to time and love.
Lee has a beautiful lyrical writing style - he perfectly conjures up the Christmases & winters of my childhood but it's also a brilliant portrait of a stolen and often now-forgotten way of life.
I will keep this book on by bedside table year round to dip into as the seasons change for the perfect escapism.
keepreadingbooks's review
3.0
I will admit, I mainly read this one for the Christmas bits. Or at least, that's why I picked it up in December rather than at any other point this year. And the winter/Christmas part was also by far my favourite, though that could be due to my Christmas-craving mood ;)
Laurie Lee writes in an accessible and very human way about growing up in the Cotswolds in a time where the digital age was still a sci-fi dream. Nature obviously plays a large part in his memories, and so do traditions, both Christian and pagan. That was the essence of village life in the early-to-mid 1900s - traditions, nature, harmony and not least community. Everyone knew everyone and children roamed the village 'roads' freely all year round.
It's idyllic, there's no doubt about that, and he laments the loss of that life more than once, but also admits that memories sometimes make things appear more rosy than they were - such as when he exaggerates how 'every' winter back then was filled with snow and clear days.
It's always difficult to read about other seasons in a particular season. My mood follows the seasons to a large extent, so reading about summer while getting ready for Christmas made it slightly odd - and probably accounts for the fact that after the 'winter' part, I was just eager to finish it and move on to my next Christmas read.
I don't doubt, however, that I'll read more of Lee's work in the near future!
/NK
Laurie Lee writes in an accessible and very human way about growing up in the Cotswolds in a time where the digital age was still a sci-fi dream. Nature obviously plays a large part in his memories, and so do traditions, both Christian and pagan. That was the essence of village life in the early-to-mid 1900s - traditions, nature, harmony and not least community. Everyone knew everyone and children roamed the village 'roads' freely all year round.
It's idyllic, there's no doubt about that, and he laments the loss of that life more than once, but also admits that memories sometimes make things appear more rosy than they were - such as when he exaggerates how 'every' winter back then was filled with snow and clear days.
It's always difficult to read about other seasons in a particular season. My mood follows the seasons to a large extent, so reading about summer while getting ready for Christmas made it slightly odd - and probably accounts for the fact that after the 'winter' part, I was just eager to finish it and move on to my next Christmas read.
I don't doubt, however, that I'll read more of Lee's work in the near future!
/NK
theelliemo's review
4.0
I’ll be honest, there are a few duds in this collection of essays; and the use of seasons as a theme is tenuous at best.
But when an essay hits the mark, it really hits the mark, and there are many essays that do so. And without a doubt, Lee is at his best when writing about the Slad valley and surrounding area.
But when an essay hits the mark, it really hits the mark, and there are many essays that do so. And without a doubt, Lee is at his best when writing about the Slad valley and surrounding area.
stephend81d5's review
4.0
I remember reading cider with rosie when I was school so when I saw this selection of short stories in the bookshop decided to buy and glad I did as lee brings out visions of bygone years with what Christmas was and other visions of life in 1920's onwards until laurie lee himself was in old age, in parts there is a sense of humour.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
The slow unwrapping of Christmas in the winter dawn
Lee has always considered his home to be in the Cotswolds, even when he left to walk across Europe, his heart still remained there. Village Christmas is a collection of essays and other writing about his favourite moments at home in the valley of Slad, and of other times in his life. He has fond memories of time long past, of cold winters and frozen ponds, carol singing and warm breath causing clouds as they walked.
The germs of spring stand on the brink of stillness, life loaded but as yet unfired
It is split into four sections one for each season with some of the seasonal delights and other wide ranging subjects like living in wartime Chelsea, the Lakes, country rituals and those moments as the seasons turn slowly on. It is a beautifully written book, with warm lyrical prose, so much so that you don’t feel that you are reading it, rather that you are immersed in his world and place. The way that he captures times long past in intimate detail makes you capture your breath. This is the first Lee book that I have read, but I have recently been recommended The Cider with Rosie trilogy. On the strength of this, I will definitely be reading them next year.
Lee has always considered his home to be in the Cotswolds, even when he left to walk across Europe, his heart still remained there. Village Christmas is a collection of essays and other writing about his favourite moments at home in the valley of Slad, and of other times in his life. He has fond memories of time long past, of cold winters and frozen ponds, carol singing and warm breath causing clouds as they walked.
The germs of spring stand on the brink of stillness, life loaded but as yet unfired
It is split into four sections one for each season with some of the seasonal delights and other wide ranging subjects like living in wartime Chelsea, the Lakes, country rituals and those moments as the seasons turn slowly on. It is a beautifully written book, with warm lyrical prose, so much so that you don’t feel that you are reading it, rather that you are immersed in his world and place. The way that he captures times long past in intimate detail makes you capture your breath. This is the first Lee book that I have read, but I have recently been recommended The Cider with Rosie trilogy. On the strength of this, I will definitely be reading them next year.
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